Rosa Julia Rivera
Rosa Julia Rivera, 88, died Thursday, May 8, 2025.
A rosary will be held at 5 PM, Tuesday, May 20, 2025; Memorial Mass 10 AM, Wednesday, May 21, 2025, both at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. Inurnment will follow at Kansas Veteran's Cemetery, Winfield, KS.
Rosa was born on September 8, 1936, in San German, Puerto Rico, where she married Hector Rivera-Ortiz on May 12, 1955. During Hector's military service they lived in Germany, Hawaii, Texas, Georgia, New Jersey, and New York before settling in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where they lived for 40 years. She later lived in Alaska and Kansas.
Rosa was an outstanding cook and devoted homemaker, whose generosity and unwavering support enriched the lives of those around her. She was the heartbeat of her family, taking immense pride and joy in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Although primarily a Spanish speaker, Rosa embraced opportunities to connect with friends worldwide, learning conversational Korean, German, and English through her international experiences. A devout Catholic and loyal friend, Rosa strove to keep her Puerto Rican heritage and cultural traditions alive within her family.
Rosa is preceded in death by her husband, Hector Rivera-Ortiz; parents, Manuel Maldonado and Josefina Hernandez; 4 children; 7 siblings; and one son-in-law. She is survived by her daughters, Maria (Bert) Medina, Lourdes Rivera; 10 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; and sisters, Elfreida Maldonado (Alejandro Ortiz), Carmen Maldonado, and Leticia Maldonado.
Special thanks to all the staff at Wesley Medical Center (Woodlawn Campus), Reeds Cove Health and Rehabilitation, and Harry Hynes Hospice for their expert care, love and support.
Memorials have been established with: Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska, 1750 Abbott Rd., Anchorage, AK 99507; Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 S. Market, Wichita, KS 67202.
Services in care of Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.
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Rosa was not only my US Air Force Academy roommate’s beloved Mom, she was my sponsor Mom. I was 18 when I first met Rosa, on the first weekend we were allowed off the installation in the fall of 1984. Luly invited us over, all of us in our cadet service dress uniform. I honestly don’t remember if it was only Lu and me that weekend, but it soon blossomed into several of us girls who called Lu’s family…our family. Rosa made us feel so welcomed and happy and loved. We felt “normal” just hanging out, a much needed respite from the rigors of that freshman year. Somehow, she knew exactly what we needed—not only that first year, but all four years. Sponsor families are so important to cadet life, but Rosa was one in a million: always smiling, laughing, caring, cooking(!), and loving. My best friend’s mom, and she had enough love in her heart to be mom for all of us! May God embrace you in His loving arms, Dear Rosa, now and forever.